Toys in the News 09/3/2024

Lego and Nike Collaboration: Lego and Nike announced a new multiyear deal for co-branded products and experiences. Toy brands like Lego and Barbie are increasingly pursuing sports-related products, which are a growing segment in the toy industry. Toys and sports brand deals: Lego and Nike, Barbie and hockey | Ad Age

Disney Lorcana Gateway is a  game where you play alongside Disney characters in a quest. Learning to Play: The game is designed for beginners, with guides included to help you learn as you play. Gameplay Elements: Players use “glimmers,” special versions of Disney friends, to overcome obstacles and collect “lore” to win. Companion App: A companion app is available to view the entire Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game card encyclopedia:  Disney Lorcana by Ravensburger

Mario Kart Toys in Australia: McDonald’s is releasing Mario Kart Happy Meal toys in Australia starting September 5. These toys were previously available in the US in 2022. Previous Collaborations: McDonald’s and Nintendo have a history of collaborations, including toys based on The Super Mario Bros Movie and Universal Studios’ Super Nintendo Land. Future Possibilities: There might be more Mario toys in the future to promote upcoming game releases, although no major leaks have been reported yet. Fan Excitement: Fans in Australia are excited about the return of plastic toys instead of cardboard ones.

New Batman Cowls: McFarlane Toys announced three new Batman cowls from DC Collectibles, inspired by the 1966 TV series, the 1989 movie, and the 1993 Knightfall comic series. Product Features: Each cowl is a 1:3 scale replica, includes a display stand, and varies in height from approximately 6.79" to 7.6". Preorder Information: All three cowls are available for preorder from Entertainment Earth.
McFarlane Toys announces new DC Collectible Batman cowls | Batman News (batman-news.com)

Underrated Toys: How Fisher-Price Little People transportation toys were underrated compared to Lego, emphasizing their influence on preschoolers. Historical Context:  Fisher-Price Little People, starting from the Looky Fire Truck in 1949 to various playsets like the Parking Ramp Service Center and the Airport. Design and Impact: The toys: durable design, realistic features, and their role in teaching kids about transportation and standardization. Modern Reflection:  the lasting impact of these toys and proposes a new Autopian-themed playset to inspire future generations.